Amash, Huizenga raise concerns over fiscal cliff deal

WASHINGTON (Detroit Free Press) - Some west Michigan Republicans are raising serious concerns about the deal passed early this morning by the U.S. Senate to forestall tax increases on most wage earners and deep spending cuts.

Taking to Twitter to express himself, U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Cascade Township blasted the agreement to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff, saying it increases spending without making tough fiscal decisions.

"It's more of the same irresponsible & reckless behavior we've come to expect from Congress," Amash wrote in one tweet. In another, he said, "Senate gave middle finger to everyone in America. You want lower taxes & less spending? Tough. You're getting higher taxes & more spending."

Amash made headlines in recent weeks when he lost his seat on the House Budget Committee after voting against Republican leadership on some key issues.

But it's not just Amash complaining about the Senate deal, which would keep current tax rates in place for individuals making less than $400,000 a year and householders earning less than $450,000 a year and delays deep, automatic spending cuts until March 1, giving Congress more time to address them.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga of Zeeland also tweeted concerns about the deal, saying the Congressional Budget Office estimated it raises $620-billion in revenue but cuts spending only $15-billion.

"A $41 to $1 ratio!" Huizenga wrote.

Republicans who hold the majority in the House were meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the deal, as were Democrats. House Speaker John Boehner had promised to put to a vote whatever legislation the Senate passed, but it was uinclear how his Republican caucus would react to the measure passed early this morning.

Boehner's spokesman, Brendan Buck, put out a statement this afternoon saying there was "universal concern" among House Republicans that the deal lacked spending cuts.

"Conversations will continue throughout the afternoon on the path forward," he said.